The Block 2023: Nine disables social media comments amid criticism

In recent years Nine juggernaut The Block has copped criticism for being less about building and more about creating controversy – and this season looks to be no different.

Ankur Dogra and Sharon Johal on the 2022 season of The Block.

Last year’s season of The Block was branded by viewers as drama-filled and toxic — and it seems Season 19 is going to be no different.

In recent years Nine juggernaut The Block had been less about building and more about creating controversy.

And despite criticism last year, producers have stuck with that format.

The move has resulted in Nine disabling comments on its most recent post after criticism from fans and followers which accuse the renovation show of being “toxic” and “disturbing”.

A feud between couple Steph and Gian and the other contestants, including Leah and Ash and Kristy and Brett, has been the focus of the program this week.

Recent seasons of The Block have been branded drama-filled and toxic by viewers.

“This is a moment in time where everything is changing, especially for our daughters. We are focused on supporting each other … and building a culture where we lift each other up,” viewer Evie Farrell said.

“So it’s beyond me why The Block is promoting a toxic narrative as the main storyline for this season, rather than positive role models the whole family can watch and support together.”

The fresh criticism comes after Nine was also accused of inciting hate last year by giving Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra a ‘villain’s edit’, resulting in both of them receiving racist abuse by people online.

“You look for, focus on, and encourage divisiveness, drama and unnecessary conflict,” a viewer wrote last year.

“The early (seasons) were far better — low budgets, where creativity was required.”

In 2022, Omar Slaimankhel and Oz Said won The Block to become the biggest winners in the reality TV show history — making close to $1.7m in winnings.

The win caused some controversy of its own after ‘Lambo guy’, millionaire Adrian Portelli, got into a bidding war over a property renovated by two contestants he knew.

Serial Block buyer Danny Wallis bought the property, as well as two of the other homes, while it was later revealed Portelli as the mystery bidder who was known to Omar and Oz.

During last year’s season finale, Omar and Oz scored a sale price for the Gisborne property of $5.67 million, well above the reserve of $4.08 million.